Are Women Human? By Dorothy L. Sayers

69 pages
Reprinted in 2005
by Eerdmans Publishing Company

Are Women Human? Penetrating, Sensible, and Witty Essays on the Role of Women in Society is just that -- a compilation of speeches and essays written by Dorothy L. Sayers around the same time she was penning her famed Lord Peter Wimsey novels. Of course, Ms. Sayers wrote more than just the Lord Peter books. Her bibliography includes a great number of plays, poetry collections, short stories, novels, essays, commentaries and other non-fiction works.

One might wonder that I chose to read this little book of essays unless of course you've noticed how quickly this review has followed my review of Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers. This is not by chance. I read Are Women Human? right after finishing Gaudy Night in preparation for the discussion with my book club. Together as a group it was decided that we would not only read and discuss one of Sayers' novels, but also this particular collection of essays for their relevance to some of the social commentaries entwined within Gaudy Night.

At first glance some might try to label Are Women Human? a collection of feminist thoughts and ideology in the most negative sense of the word, but that is exactly the opposite of what this book contains. The ladies in my book club (some quite conservative in ideology) and I found Ms. Sayers thoughts and comments to be both balanced and enlightening. But what we liked best about this book was the point of view given. Dorothy Sayers was not only a woman, but a married woman who also received a college education and maintained a career during the earliest years of the 20th century -- a time when the average woman did not attend college and was often challenged for her desire to have a career. Ms. Sayers' point of view is valuable in that it is vastly different than the point of view of a 21st century woman looking back or even a 18th century woman looking forward.

Of further interest to me, it almost seemed as if Ms. Sayers penned the first essay around the same time she was writing Gaudy Night, for examples used in her essay appear in similar form within the novel played out or brought up in conversations by various characters within the story.


Overall I think Ms. Sayer's views could be summed up in this quote from Are Women Human?:

"Indeed, it is my experience that both men and women are fundamentally human, and that there is very little mystery about either sex, except the exasperating mysteriousness of human beings in general."

 For those looking for a more in-depth study of some of the social issues of the early 1920s or for those curious to hear what Dorothy L. Sayers' views were on the issue of feminism I definitely recommend checking out this little book. It sparked some interesting discussion amongst my book club and further enriched my reading comprehension of the earlier reviewed Gaudy Night.

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Related Links:

• The Dorothy L. Sayers Society (UK)
• The Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy L. Sayers
• The Whimsical Christian by Dorothy L. Sayers (18 essays) (Amazon)
• Are Women Human? by Dorothy L. Sayers (Amazon)

Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers

501 pages
Published 1935 by Gollancz
Reprinted by Harper Collins Publishers in 1995
New York, NY

It's no secret, I love a good mystery read. And yet somehow I had managed to get nearly three decades into my life with books without once picking up a novel by Dorothy L. Sayers. That is, until this year when several of the ladies in my book club strongly encouraged our group to not only read Gaudy Night, but to add it to the very limited list of books we read and discuss together. I knew then and there I had to read something by Dorothy L. Sayers. A book coming with such strong recommendation from readers I respect and admire, I knew must be indeed a worthwhile read.

For those that don't know much about Sayers' mystery novels, Gaudy Night is the tenth book in the Lord Peter Wimsey detective series. It varies slightly from the earlier books in the series in that the plot revolves around mystery author Harriet Vane, a friend of Lord Peter's, with Lord Peter taking a supporting role to the story. Having absolutely no background in either the character's lives or the previous cases solved within the series I thought I might be in for a bit of confusion, but I was not. Although references to earlier cases, particularly Strong Poison are made, these are subtle and do not distract from the present story. In a way, Gaudy Night could probably be considered one of the few stand-alone reads within a series if one chose to read it that way.

The plot:
Famed mystery writer Harriet Vane returns to her alma mater (an all female college) for reunion of sorts, which will include the annual "Gaudy" celebrations. Harriet initially has second thoughts about making the trip, but after the weekend turns out well she quickly dismisses such thoughts... Until she  discovers a poison-pen type note in the pocket of her gown that she wore during her stay. This she soon learns is not the only one of its kind. The dons of the college contact Harriet asking for her assistance in solving a real mystery -- who is the lunatic behind a string of malicious pranks, poison pen letters and nasty graffiti that has been spread around the college following the Gaudy Night. The only problem is the dons want to keep the matter out of the press and yet there is a sense of urgency that the mystery must be solved before someone is seriously injured... Hoping to avoid scandal and further problems Harriet begins to investigate, but quickly turns to her friend Lord Peter Wimsey for help in clearing the names of some of her beloved teachers.

My Thoughts:
I truly enjoyed Gaudy Night. It was a good mystery read. Although, I confess, I did solve the "whodunnit" about 125 pages before the end, which I count an accomplishment as the mystery was a definite puzzler. I found the story well plotted, well written, and overall fascinating on so many levels.

On the surface you have a mystery. Below that there are discussions and thought provoking conversations that revolve around issues of the day like social class, feminism, a woman's education, and the advantages of marriage and single-hood, career and family. Of course to further enrich this novel there is also a love story and plenty of charm and wit to keep the reader laughing and turning the pages.

Yes, this is a Harriet Vane story, but it is contained within the Lord Peter Wimsey series and Lord Peter's presence is certainly felt within the book even when he is physically absent from the scene. It didn't take long before I knew I had to read the rest of the series. I just loved Lord Peter and Harriet Vane.

Gaudy Night is a quotable, meaty story, but also a thrilling and completely satisfying mystery. Definitely a must-read for mystery fans or those looking for a good English read from the early part of the 20th century, but don't just take my word for it, go get a copy and discover for yourself!

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Related Links:

• Online Gaudy Night annotations by Bill Peschel (for those of us who need help w/ Latin quotes and other classical references)
• The Dorothy L. Sayers Society (UK)
• HarperCollins Publishers: Dorothy L. Sayers
  
• Open Library: Dorothy L. Sayers

Tuesday Teaser: Whose Body?

"Lord Peter's library was one of the most delightful bachelor rooms in London. Its scheme was black and primrose; its walls were lined with rare editions, and its chairs and Chesterfield sofa suggested the embraces of the houris. In one corner stood a black baby grand, a wood fire leaped on a wide old-fashioned hearth, and the Sevres vases on the chimney-piece were filled with ruddy and gold chrysanthemums. To the eyes of the young man who was ushered in from the raw November fog it seemed not only rare and unattainable, but friendly and familiar, like a colourful and gilded paradise in a medieval painting."

Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers (Chpt 2, pg 16)